Modi at 75: A Journey from Tea Seller to Three-Time PM

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is celebrating his 75th birthday today. He is currently one of the longest-serving Prime Ministers in the history of the country. His journey has been a tale of resilience and determination that has brought him this far.

Starting life from very humble beginnings and even working as a tea seller, Modi has come a long way to occupy the top chair as the Prime Minister of India.

His rise began in 2001 when he was first elected as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Since then, there has been no looking back. The Gujarat model and Modi’s significant role in the state’s development made him a national icon in a short time.

The big leap came in 2014, when he became the Prime Minister of India for the first time, powered by the strong Modi wave that extended into states like Andhra Pradesh as well.

This was followed by consecutive landslide victories in 2019 and 2024. Today, he stands as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term, a rare feat achieved by very few in Indian politics.

From Andhra Pradesh’s perspective, Modi has made a remarkable turnaround since the 2019 setback. The resurgence of the BJP through its alliance with TDP and Jana Sena has boosted the party’s presence in the state and also strengthened Modi’s image.

With consistent support to Andhra Pradesh, the Modi-led central government is currently in the good books of the people of the state. This positive trend is also being reflected in other state elections, including Rajasthan and Maharashtra.

However, Modi’s biggest challenge now comes in the form of Rahul Gandhi, who appears to be hitting peak form in his political career. Facing an increasingly aggressive opposition led by Rahul could be Modi’s toughest political test yet.